I have always believed that we have more in common than what separates us. Way too often we let those few things tear us apart. I came to New York both because of my deep fascination of the US and the American project but also to get closer to my fellow world citizens. I came to EF with three years of High School education in politics, international relations and sociology as my background. I remember I have always been interested in international organizations, where countries come together despite their differences and with a goal of often abstractly defined values. Values we consider essential for everyone. I have always advocated for the fact that this type of cooperation is great. The problem is that for me this belief has only been in theory. I had almost no international friends before I came here. I was really excited about being surrounded by people from all over the world all speaking different languages and with different backgrounds but still all determined to reach out to each other despite our differences. From the beginning I went all in. Trying to talk to as many people as possible. I was very extrovert. Talking, listening and sharing with everyone who was interested. It was giving and I learned a whole lot about different cultures, religions and traditions. I felt like I was building a global network of friends all around the world. Suddenly I knew someone from Korea, Japan, China, Columbia, Brazil and I could go on. This was exciting and I was already looking forward to go to all these places around the world when I was done studying here.

But here I am almost 5 months after I sat my foot on American ground. I have learned a lot and I have had amazing times in one of the most magnificent cities in the world. I have been in awe of the beautiful skylines; I have been surprised by the determination and work ethic of New Yorkers. I have enjoyed long walks in the different neighborhoods. I have been amazed by stories, traditions and cultures. Almost every New Yorker carry interesting stories about how they ended up in the center of the world. The amount of intellectual interesting people I have met here both on campus and outside have been outstanding. There is just something I noticed. A lesson I learned from my stay here: How much culture and background actually means.

When I look at my groups of friends that I have dinner with every night. The friends that I have become very close with and who I really bond with. Those friends I can have deeper talks with. They all have one thing in common: They are all Europeans. I have learned a lot by being surrounded by so many different nations from all over the world. Everyone trying to learn a language that can help build a bridge of understanding and communication between our cultures. I found myself trying to talk to people from all over the world but very often I ended up with my European counterparts. I fairly quickly realized that the language barrier is not the only barrier separating our cultures. We are very different, and we tend to group with those who are most alike us. Because humor, the way we talk, basic communication and interest are different from culture to culture. I truly believed this was an easy thing to overcome. It is not. I have sweet friends from places far away from my culture, but my closest friends are still Europeans.

Is this a bad thing? Not at all. I was just surprised how much this was true. How much culture means just in daily life and in bonding with other people. I am very happy about my friends far away from home and I learn a lot from them every single day. I just need to put in a little more effort when talking and bonding people very different. I truly believe that this is a healthy exercise. Forcing yourself to seek the differences to learn and get inspired. The more we do this, the better.

I am without a doubt a culturally richer person after my stay here and I have learned a lot about myself and my own background by being exposed to all these differences.